Fourth events today, Saturday

Newnan Rotary Club hosts the Newnan/Coweta community Fourth of July celebration tonight at Drake Stadium. Gates open at 5:30 and festivities end with a 9 p.m. patriotic program, followed by fireworks.

Independence Day weekend events begin today with Newnan’s Fourth of July Parade starting at 9 a.m. – a change this year to include a shorter route from the corner of Jackson Street and Temple Avenue through Court Square to Greenville Street Park just south of downtown.

Area youngsters and parents will meet at Veterans Memorial Plaza at 8:30 a.m. to march and ride in non-gasoline vehicles or on bikes and trikes. Children need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Expected are horse-drawn wagons from the Buffalo Soldiers and a Winged Ambassadors/Birds of Prey float, along with the traditional fire department vehicles, police cruisers, band members from area high schools, and other floats and groups from local businesses and organizations. Details: Main Street Manager Courtney Collins, 770-253-8283, or email Ccollins@cityofnewnan.org.

The festival and celebration is held in conjunction with a barbecue sponsored by area churches for more than 60 years. Serving officially starts at 11 a.m. at the Lewis Grizzard Memorial Barbecue Pavilion behind Moreland Mill, but regulars know to be in line by 10:30. Plates are $8 each.

• In Grantville today, David Wilson presents his one-man drama about the nation’s first president, Georgia Washington. Wilson, a playwright, an author and an actor, has staged the one-man show for years on the nation’s birthday. He dresses in colonial attire. Presentation is at 4 p.m. at the John C. Meadows log cabin, one of the oldest surviving dwellings in Coweta County. Some of Wilson’s ancestors lived in the cabin.

• Newnan and Coweta’s community fireworks extravaganza is tonight at Newnan High’s Drake Stadium off LaGrange Street. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m., and concessions open at 6 p.m. with hot dogs, popcorn and soft drinks. Doug Kees with guest Brian Wright, a former Newnanite now living in Nashville, TN, and with a new single out, will perform 6:30-8:30 p.m. A patriotic program will follow around 9 p.m. with State Rep. Lynn Smith and UWG Newnan Center Director Cathy Wright as emcees.

• Haralson’s celebration of Independence Day is Saturday with a parade at 6 p.m. and fireworks at dark. Parade sponsors – walking groups, vehicles, floats – need to contact Tinker Smith at 770-599-0602. Smith said parade participants will gather at Haralson Self Storage on Ga. Highway 85 at 5:30 p.m., and the parade will start at 6 p.m. The fireworks will be ignited at the field off Shaddix Road. The display will be visible from the park and start about 9-9:15 p.m.